AP Testing Moves Online, and Technical Glitches Make For a Shaky Start

The College Board is moving forward with Advanced Placement (AP) testing despite the coronavirus pandemic -- and so far, it isn’t off to a smooth start.

In order to comply with physical distancing guidelines, the College Board has reworked their tests into 45-minute online exams, compared to the usual 3-hour test administered in person.

As a result, AP students have been thrown for a loop in more ways than one. Remote learning has disrupted their preparation leading up to the exams, and unequal access to technology makes online testing difficult or impossible for some, particularly low-income students of color. Some students are taking these college-credit exams on smartphones or from McDonald's parking lots.

The College Board seems to be dealing with its own technical issues, as a flood of complaints followed last week’s exams. Some students say that they had issues submitting their answers or were shut out of the test altogether. In response, the College Board is providing students in future tests the option to email responses if they’re unable to submit them. Those who’ve already experienced the glitches will have to retake their tests.

Take Action: Digital learning has got a lot of students stressed out. Tell us how you manage your stress, and we’ll include it in a first-of-its-kind mental health guide for students, by students.

The fund has awarded more than 40,000 grants to help restaurant staff get back on their feet after experiencing job loss or pay cuts due to the current health crisis.

The pandemic has had a devastating effect on the restaurant industry, forcing small businesses to close and leaving thousands of workers laid off. That’s why Fieri is encouraging everyone who can to show support for their local restaurants by “giv[ing] them some biz.”

Take Action: Share the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund and encourage others to donate.

The initiative is awarding $500-$1000 grants to individuals and households on a first-come, first-served basis, and organizers expect to help about 150,000 people.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, undocumented workers are among the most essential, as they support the country’s food supply in a big way -- from harvesting produce to operating food processing plants. An estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants work essential jobs, and as a result, they’re among the most vulnerable to coronavirus exposure.